High-ranking police officers have taken to the streets of York as part of a community safety operation.

Operation Discount ran throughout the city yesterday as York prepares for a flood of shoppers in the final run-up to Christmas.

Assistant Chief Constable Paul Kennedy was on patrol throughout the day and said: “This is a city-centre-based operation to crack down on crime in the centre and our focus is about crime prevention and also community reassurance, so people can enjoy the day safely. I’m here as part of a high-visibility operation, but we’ve also got plain-clothed officers at major retail locations in the community.

“First and foremost we want everyone to enjoy the pre-Christmas period and York as a city, but we’re also here to send a message out to people who would think about shoplifting or crime-related activity in the city. We have officers out there that you can see, and some you can’t see, and won’t hesitate to arrest those people who decide to undertake criminal behaviour.”

Chief Constable Dave Jones, Deputy Chief Constable Tim Madgwick, and Temporary Assistant Chief Constable Ken McIntosh also joined colleagues on the beat throughout the day.